Planning Your Cape Cod Wedding
As a soon-to-be bride, you’ve probably envisioned your wedding day from a very young age, especially where and how beautiful it will be.
Whether it’s a country club setting or beachside restaurant, Cape Cod offers a wide selection of spectacular wedding locations.
Organizing your big day is a tall task though, with a sometimes overwhelming number of planning items to consider – venue, colors, themes, menus, flowers, dresses and more.
There are lots of ways to personalize your Cape Cod wedding, including when it happens.
Couples often consider the fall, and even winter, when costs decrease and the weather can be uniquely spectacular.
‘Off-season’ weddings also pose the opportunity to add a trendy spin to a Cape Cod wedding.
Color choices such as white, silver, and pearl complement the winter wonderland, add a cozy feeling to your reception venue, while showcasing a different Cape Cod look for family and friends.
You’ve Made Your Choice!
Once you’ve decided on a Cape Cod wedding, planning ahead is crucial.
The Cape is an extremely popular destination, and reservations for churches and reception venues book up quickly, sometimes even three years in advance.
Getting creative is always an option though, with a number of uniquely Cape Cod locations available to host your big event… like marinas, the Truro Vineyards, the Bourne Farm, Heritage Museums & Gardens and more.
Or skip the heels and have your ceremony right on the sand at a beach particularly close to your heart.
Like rustic elegance? That can be found at Mashpee’s Popponesset Inn, situated on the beach with a dance floor on a tented porch and raised bar overlooking Vineyard Sound. Rustic fences, small dunes, and lifeguard stands make great backdrops for wedding photos too! And the Inn’s cute ‘Poppy’ cottages and condos are available as accommodations for friends and family.
Willowbend Country Club is another quintessentially Cape Cod location, complete with cranberry bogs, seashell paths and the lush rolling hills of a beautiful golf course. Willowbend’s clubhouse features a beautiful dining room and stone terrace with built-in fire pits that can host up to 300 people.
Or sail off on your honeymoon from the dock at The Flying Bridge restaurant in Falmouth. The restaurant overlooks Falmouth Harbor, and provides beautiful views of sailboats moving in and out of the jetties. The entire second floor of The Flying Bridge is available for events, and seats up to 225.
Wedding guests at Harwich’s Wequassett Inn enjoy waterfront views and a romantic setting, one of the best in all of New England. Wequassett’s wedding planners are committed to perfecting your celebration, and work intimately with the bride’s family on everything from the ceremony, to catering, flowers, accommodations, and more. The Inn also offers 120 spacious suites, many with decks or patios, and some with water views.
Looking for a Photographer?
Be sure to capture the touching, intimate and memorable moments of your wedding day with one of Cape Cod’s world class local photographers.
Paul Blackmore Photography, Judith Sargent Photography Inc., and Studio K Photography, LLC are among the talented and reliable photographers to consider.
As for unique photo locations, the dunes of your favorite beach or an old pier make great spots for bridal party pictures.
Some particularly beautiful locations include Skaket Beach, Nobska Lighthouse, and the Eastham Windmill, which all provide great backdrops.
Beaches are great options because they often only require a small special use permit for ceremonies, and for photos you may not need a permit at all, but be sure to check with town hall.
What to Eat?
Next up… feeding your guests!
Hors d’oeuvres with cocktails are a great way to start. Some favorites include scallops wrapped in bacon, shrimp cocktail, mini cheeseburgers or even a Raw Bar.
For the main meal, nothing says Cape Cod like seafood! However, depending on the overall theme of your wedding, you may choose to take your menu in a different direction.
If your venue provides catering, choosing from a buffet or plated meal can be based on personal preference. Otherwise, you’ll need to select a quality caterer for your big day. The best way to choose is to taste-test a few caterers at a time.
The Casual Gourmet, based in Centerville, is one of the area’s top-rated companies. Offering menus with a hint of Cape Cod in each course, The Casual Gourmet does beautiful sunset receptions or buffet luncheons in an oceanfront tent.
Another option, Clambakes Etc., offers fresh seafood and shellfish for a relatively low price.
Or, take a different approach and surprise your guests with Asian cuisine, a specialty of Pepper’s Fine Catering.
Then of course, you need to have the perfect wedding cake, and you can find it with any number of local vendors like Borrowed & Blue and Cape Cod Cakes.
In addition to custom and traditional cake templates, these specialty bakers can give you options like themes, colors, and decorations for your uniquely Cape Cod wedding cake.
The Details
Then, focus on special touches that reflect your likes and interests, and items that can make your day memorable.
Something as simple as your guest book can become a terrific keepsake, especially when you consider interesting alternatives, such as a globe guest book.
This can become a decoration in your new home, covered with notes from the people you love.
Having a photo booth at your party has become a huge trend over the last few years too. Friends and family can capture candid moments, leave snapshots in a photo album for the newlyweds, or take ready-made memories home with them!
Candy buffets, make-your-own-cupcake stations, and sundae bars are delicious trends nowadays as well.
You’ll also find that ice cream or food trucks are much appreciated by wedding attendees after a long night of dancing. Imagine the smiles on their faces as they step out of your reception venue and find sweet treats on tap!
Finally… don’t forget the flowers! The perfect choices and arrangements add elegance while complementing color schemes and table settings.
Some top area florists to consider include Qing Flowers in Hyannis, Chatham’s Wild Bunch Studio and Sea Glass Floral Studio, based in Harwichport.
Oh, and let’s not forget the music! A night filled with dancing and laughter can make a wedding. Choosing from live music or a DJ can be a tough decision though, and sometimes it can depend on the venue or location.Usually it is personal preference, but there are recommended choices for either.
For DJs, Doug Folsom and Timeless Sounds Music are popular on Cape Cod.
Beantown, a Boston-based band is highly praised all over New England for live music.
Additionally, the Russ Wilcox Jazz Group and the Jon Bates Band provide great live talent and tasteful music selections.
If you also want to provide assistance to out of town guests who need a place to stay, visit our Cape Cod Hotels Page.
Enjoy!
One of the most important days of your life can be truly special and memorable on Cape Cod.
From spectacular venues to the perfect cake, the Cape is a perfect place to kick off the next chapter of your life.
Enjoy your day, enjoy your stay, and know that even if you leave Cape Cod, tying the knot here means that Cape Cod will never leave YOU!
